Mission Viejo Rallies to Beat Dana Hills

Mission Viejo’s fortunes changed late in the South Coast League game against Dana Hills on Friday night at Dana Hills High School.

The Diablos (5-4, 3-1 in league) had enough time to take advantage of the good fortune and scored a 17-14 victory in front of Dana Hills’ homecoming crowd.

After taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a one-yard run by tailback Mark Reynosa and a 55-yard punt return by Reynosa, the Dolphins (3-5, 1-3) watched as their lead dissolved.

A 22-yard field goal by Mission Viejo’s Kubilay Turna with 4 minutes 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter closed the gap to 14-10.

With 8:20 to play in the fourth, Mission Viejo reached the Dolphins’ nine-yard line after moving the ball on nine plays. On third and nine, quarterback Brad Weeks’ pass to Brian Snowden was ruled incomplete and Turna’s ensuing 26-yard field-goal attempt sailed right.

Dana Hills defense also prevented Mission Viejo from scoring on its next possession, when Weeks’ pass sailed over the head of Bill Pedigo with 4:49 left.

With 2:05 left, however, Weeks hit Matt Denny for his only reception of the night and Denny ran it 52 yards for a touchdown, giving Mission Viejo a 17-14 lead.

When Erick Fielding intercepted Scott Covington, who was five of 12 for 75 yards and two interceptions, with 1:55 left, Dana Hills’ chances for a comeback ended.

“We kept pushing and pushing,” Mission Viejo Coach Mike Rush said. “And it was defense again, they played another exceptional game.”